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Freezing milk is an incredibly easy way to extend its shelf life. Plus, it's a great way to save money by allowing you to buy in bulk and take advantage of bargains at the supermarket! Thawed milk is perfectly safe to drink and is just as nutritious as fresh milk, so there's virtually no reason to let your milk go bad rather than freezing it!

Steps

Part 1

Freezing Your Milk

1

Leave room for your milk to expand. When milk freezes, it takes up a little more space that when it's liquid.[1] If your milk's container is filled to the brim, this can cause it to burst in the freezer, making a huge frozen mess (this is especially true for hard glass jugs). Luckily, this is easy to prevent — just pour off about a cup of milk so that you have a few inches of room at the top of the container. Doing this gives the milk plenty of room to expand.

On the other hand, if you've already drunk more than a cup or two of your milk, you can usually skip this step.

2

Date your container. Once you freeze your milk, the expiration date on the jug becomes basically meaningless unless you thaw it again right away. For this reason, it's a wise idea to label your container with both today's date and the number of days remaining before it expires. You can write this directly on the container with a marker, or, if you prefer not to mark your container, you can use a piece of masking tape as a label.

For example, if it's August 24th and the milk expires on August 29th, we might label the container with the text "Frozen: Aug. 24 — five days to expire" so that we'll know how long we have to drink the milk when we thaw it in a month or two.

3

Put the milk container in the freezer. You're all ready to freeze your milk — simply set your labeled container in a freezer with a temperature below 0o F/C. If you can't fit the entire container in the freezer, consider dividing the milk into several smaller containers. Within about a day, the milk should be frozen solid.

When the milk is frozen, you may be able to see the separation of the milk and the fat. Don't worry — this is a normal part of the freezing process and is perfectly safe.

4

Store for up to 2-3 months. Most sources recommend leaving your milk in the freezer for a maximum of either two or three months.[2][3] Some sources even recommend freezing milk for up to six months.[4] The general consensus seems to be that milk can last a very long time in the freezer but that it will gradually absorb the flavors and odors of other items in the freezer over time, becoming less appealing to drink.

Note that richer dairy products, like eggnog, buttermilk, and cream generally have similar shelf lives to ordinary milk (or slightly shorter) when frozen — usually on the order of one to two months or so.

5

Consider freezing in ice cube trays. As an alternative to freezing your milk in its container, you may want to consider pouring a portion into ice cube trays. This is an especially good choice for people looking to use their frozen milk in baking projects, as it allows you to quickly add semi-standard portions of milk to your recipe rather than having to chip away at a single solid block of milk or wait for it to thaw.

Frozen milk cubes are also good for adding to glasses of fresh milk — they keep it cold, but won't dilute it when they melt like ordinary ice cubes.

Part 2

Thawing Your Milk

1

Thaw your milk in the fridge. The trick to thawing frozen milk is to use a slow, gradual process, never a quick one. For this reason, the easiest way to thaw your milk is usually simply to transfer it from the freezer to the refrigerator. The slightly warmer temperatures of the refrigerator will allow the milk to thaw to a liquid state little by little.

This can take some time — depending on the volume of your frozen milk, it's not uncommon for it to take up to three days to thaw completely in the refrigerator.

2

For quicker thawing, soak in cold water. If you're in a hurry to thaw your milk, try filling your sink with cold water (not hot water) and submerging your frozen milk container in it. Use a heavy object like a cast iron pot to hold the milk underwater as it thaws. This process will be quicker than thawing the milk in the refrigerator but will still usually take several hours, so be patient.

The reason that water thaws milk more quickly than the refrigerator has to do with the way that energy is transferred between the milk and its surroundings at a molecular level. Liquids transfer heat energy into ice much more effectively than air, making them a much quicker method of thawing.[5]

3

Don't use heat to thaw the milk.Never try to thaw your frozen milk quickly with heat. This is a sure-fire method for ruining your milk and undoing your hard work. Heating the milk can cause it to thaw unevenly or even burn, leaving you with a very unappealing finished product. Listed below are just a few tips for avoiding this situation:

Don't leave your frozen milk out at room temperature.

Don't thaw your milk in the microwave.

Don't thaw your milk in hot water.

Don't thaw your milk in a pot or pan on the stove.

Don't thaw your milk in the sun.

Part 3

Serving Frozen Milk

1

Serve within 5-7 days of thawing. Assuming your milk was fresh when you froze it, its "freshness" should be almost the same after thawing it. Thus, most thawed milk is good for drinking and using in cooking projects for about a week after thawing. Though its appearance and consistency may be slightly different, it should still be safe to consume.

Note that if your milk wasn't fresh when you froze it, it won't be fresh thawed, either. In other words, thawed milk that was only a day or two from spoiling when you froze it will be in roughly the same state when it's thawed.

2

Shake before serving. During the freezing process, the fat in the milk can solidify and separate from the liquid. This effect is more pronounced in milk with high-fat contents. To redistribute the fat throughout the milk, shake the container a couple of times during the thawing process to mix the milk and fat back together.

You may also notice that the milk has developed a yellowy color — this is a normal part of the freezing process and not a sign that the milk has spoiled.

3

Alternatively, use a blender. It's worth noting that you don't have to shake the milk by hand to redistribute the fat. Using a mechanical solution like a blender or food processor, for instance, allows you to quickly and easily agitate the milk for a smoother, more even texture. This can also help you break up any ice chunks remaining in your milk, which can be a surprise if they aren't discovered before you start drinking.

4

Don't be put off by a slightly different texture. Thawed milk can sometimes have a different "feel" than ordinary milk — it's sometimes described as being slightly chunky and watery by comparison.[6] Though thawed milk is perfectly safe to drink, these qualities can make it difficult for some to drink.

On the other hand, thawed milk is usually an excellent substitute for fresh milk in cooking and baking projects where its altered texture is difficult or impossible to detect.

Yes, you can freeze it. The trick is to thaw it properly when you want to use it. When milk thaws, it tends to separate so you will have a block of ice and the "milky' part will be what turns liquid first. It will probably taste funny/off at that point. However, if you thaw it completely and then shake like crazy, it will be pretty much just like before you froze it. Always thaw in the fridge.

It depends on whether you freeze the milk in the carton or in something like an ice cube tray. Smaller volumes of milk will take less time to freeze. It will likely take at least one day for a full jug and 12 hours or so for cubes.

To freeze milk, start by pouring about 1 cup (240ml) of milk out of the carton so it isn't completely full. This will prevent it from expanding and leaking in the freezer. Then, write the date on the milk followed by the number of days until it expires. This number is how many days you'll have to drink it once it's thawed. Once you've labeled the container, place it in the freezer and store it there for up to 3 months.

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Co-Authored By:

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Co-authors: 12

Updated: March 29, 2019

Views: 273,077

93% of readers found this article helpful.

41 votes - 93%

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93% of people told us that this article helped them.

TJ

Tim Jones

Jan 26

"My fridge went out, and this saved my milk."

AG

Allan Green

Oct 25, 2017

"I simply wanted to know if it was possible to freeze milk, as I have spare place in my fridge and sometimes forget to buy some for the next day. I will now buy an extra bottle, divide in portions and freeze for those time when I run out in the evenings. I can simply unfreeze a portion ready for my morning cereal."..." more

Rated this article:

RH

Rebecca Heaton

Mar 10, 2018

"I have to have milk for coffee. Entire household knows this, but someone occasionally forgets. When I open fridge in the AM, I get so mad. Nobody will claim they did it, but I gripe until someone goes to store. I'll do this for emergencies now. Thanks."..." more

MW

Mark Wood

Jun 17, 2016

"The "personal sized" bottles of milk have proved to be less than enough when I need some to cook with as well as drink. Per ounce, they are very expensive compared to gallon jugs. After reading this fine article, I do not have to dump spoiled milk."..." more

MS

Marilyn Scott

Nov 23, 2017

"A slightly 'heated' argument happened one afternoon recently, and this article has settled the argument, happily in my favor, that yes, semi-skimmed milk can be frozen. I am delighted, I've yet to tell her she was 'completely wrong'. Thank you."..." more

Rated this article:

PM

Patti Merritt

Nov 18, 2017

"Before reading the article, I had no idea you could freeze milk. Will save me money. People in my family will not drink or use milk past the expire date. Have thrown away lots of good milk in the past. This will really help."..." more

PZ

Paul Zink

Jul 9, 2017

"Told me it was practical to freeze milk for later use, also provided extra useful information and tips such marking the number of days remaining until expire date before milk was frozen. "..." more

Rated this article:

SJ

Sue Jack

Dec 18, 2017

"We're wanting to stock up for the holidays. Fresh milk is the only thing I don't want to run out of. Wondering if I can freeze it... voila, I can, thank you so much for your help."..." more

PB

Phil Bayliss

Jan 5, 2018

"I can freeze milk now. Rarely use it except for cooking. Single man, I use maybe 1/2 a cup a week. Mac & cheese..etc.Now I can freeze the milk in pre-measured portions for cooking."..." more

MH

Mary H.

Sep 27, 2018

"I freeze milk in smaller portions to use for soups and recipes. Using ice cube trays is a great idea that I will implement. Also, knowing shelf life after thawing was good info."..." more

EU

Elizabeth Underwood

Dec 1, 2017

"Knowing that I can freeze milk saves me money and like the idea of using ice cube trays to freeze the milk since I use regular ice to make the milk colder."..." more

AC

Angie Collins

Aug 24, 2017

"I'm looking this info up in preparation of a hurricane hitting TX soon. I want to freeze some milk so it will last longer if the electricity goes out. "..." more

Rated this article:

SC

Sherrie Childs

Aug 10, 2016

"I'm on a budget and wondered if I could buy in bulk and freeze the milk when I see it's on sale. So yes, this article was very helpful. Thanks!"..." more

JM

J. M.

May 30, 2016

"After having milk accidentally freeze in the fridge, it was nice to find out that it was still safe to drink once thawed and how to defrost it. "..." more

LH

Lynn H.

Jul 28, 2016

"This article was very informative. Like many people, I am more of a visual learner, so the photos were a great addition. Nicely done!"..." more

CD

Christopher Doyle

Jun 6, 2016

"The specific step by step procedure was excellent. I also found the final tip helpful with what was needed, milk and the freezer. "..." more

JM

Janette McK

Feb 2, 2018

"I live alone so milk goes bad before I get to finishing. After reading your helpful steps on freezing milk, no more waste!"..." more

CT

Carolyn Tatulinski

Jun 17, 2017

"I purchased milk and have to leave town for a family emergency. This helped relieve my anxiety of wasting milk and money!"..." more

Rated this article:

DT

Dana Tasbasi

Dec 15, 2017

"This article was very important to me, as I can't get to the store and run out before next trip. I can stock up."

JA

Judi Adams

Jun 17, 2016

"This was very helpful! There is a sale on 4-liter jugs right now and I can buy two with one coupon. Thank you!"

TC

Ted Connolly

Jul 26, 2017

"For a person like myself who was totally ignorant of how to freeze milk, it helped me tremendously. Thank you."

Rated this article:

CO

Chris Owen

Jun 17, 2016

"The article was very clear and concise. The step -by-step instructions and photos were brilliant. Thank you."

PA

Pip Allison

Aug 16, 2017

"I didn't know that you could freeze milk, this is going to help me immensely. Thank you."

Rated this article:

MS

Mary Scott

Feb 13, 2017

"Great step by step procedure for freezing/thawing milk. All I needed to know. Thank you!"

LG

Lisa G.

Aug 7, 2017

"Thorough explanation. Will definitely put their recommendations into practice."

Rated this article:

RM

Ramona Maekask

Jul 30, 2016

"That I can freeze milk in ice cube tray so it won't take so long to defrost!"